Safe Air in the Workplace

January 4, 2016

Safe Air in the Workplace

Whether or not welding is a major part of your manufacturing environment, safety is a critical factor in any environment where welding is present. One of the most important hazards in welding is sometimes the least thought of: welding smoke. To keep welders safe, organizations including OSHA and the ACGIH (America Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist) have set specific standards to help minimize the levels of exposure that employees have to hazardous particles.

For a moment, think about what happens during the welding process. When a welding torch hits the metal, a metal oxide compound is created based off the welding wire, the metal being welded, and the coating on the metal. It is no surprise that the smoke and dust that is produced can cause serious health issues. Exposure to these fumes can cause extensive health symptoms including Parkinson-like issues. Prolonged dust/smoke exposure to equipment can also cause equipment failure and problems faster than when proper ventilation is in place.

]]

Proper Filtration A Must

Adding a filtration system designed to pull smoke and dust away from employees can decrease exposure as well as save money on repairs, replacements of robots, and other machine issues. There are a number of different methods and systems that can be used to filter out welding smoke and dust including ducted systems with fume arms, backdraft hoods, ducted welding booths, and even a self-contained welding booth such as the Clean Air WeldStation™ LEAF.

Many companies assume ventilation to the outside is a good option; however, many issues can arise including failing to achieve the proper CFM level to pull smoke out; smoke is pulled through the welder’s breathing area; or even a violation of the EPA’s NESHAP regulations. A proper filtration system such as those offered by Clean Air America, Inc. will allow you to achieve a clean, hazard-free workspace, all while saving the employer money.